Field Hockey

Field Hockey Falls For First Loss Of Season

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - It was a battle of unbeaten teams when MIT met Kings College at the Betty Rich Invitational on Saturday afternoon, but the Engineers were no match for the powerful Lady Monarchs. MIT registered just three shots against the Kings in the 3-0 loss. The Engineers bounced back on Sunday with a 3-2 win over Elmira College, but Kings College earned the tournament victory with a win over host Vassar College.

From the start of Saturday's game between MIT and Kings College, the Lady Monarchs took control. Kings did not allow MIT a shot in the first half and gave up only three in the second frame, all of which were turned away by goalie Kari Leach. The Lady Monarchs defensive combination of sophomore Melissa Gates, junior Alicia Barrios and senior Kylie Rosengrant completely shutdown MIT's offense. Meanwhile, Kings' offense registered three goals and 16 shots on MIT sophomore goaltenders Alexa Herman and Safia Chettih.

The Engineers faired better on Sunday against the Elmira College Soaring Eagles. MIT built a 2-0 cushion with five minutes left in the first half on goals by sophomore Lauren McCarthy and senior Lauren Nowierski. Sarah Dake got Elmira on the board with a goal off a penalty corner with 13 seconds left in the first half. MIT regained the momentum when senior captain Noelle Kanaga put the Engineers up for good midway through the second. Kayla Blank added a goal for Elmira at 68:32, but the Soaring Eagles managed only one other shot in the half and came up short in the 3-2 loss.

With the victory over Elmira, MIT improved to 3-1 on the season, but the story of the Betty Rich Invitational was the sensational play of Kings College. The Lady Monarchs (4-0) allowed just three shots in two games and did not give up a goal on their way to their tournament victory.